Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-02-06

1 Oh III eepecihhy ~ THIS young nuJ h"'
10 kindly consenteds 10 act as my
guide" And 20 Mr.. Browne hobbled
of, with Maude walking patiently be-
side him.
As soon as the trees had hidden the
lovers from view Jack drew Msude 10
him, while she, half laughing and half
crying, stroked his long gray beard
"Oh, Jack, whatever made you come
like this ? What do you intend 10 do?"
"This, my sweetest" and the bold
lover drew from his pocket marriage
license and a wedding-ring. Half play
fully the gallant Lieutenant removed
Maude's glove and slipped on the ring,
what dear little hand il looks!" he
cried mpturously, "and how happy |
shall be when / can call it's dear owner
my sweet little wife"
A slight sound fell on their ears, and
looking up they beheld Major Hender-
son not hundred yards of.
Maude would have been grateful to
the earth had it opened at that moment
to receive her, but as it showedno signs
of accommodating her, she disengaged
herself from Mr. Brownies embrace and
| hastily handed him back the ring.
Mr.. Browne was equal to the occa-
sion, although he had grave misgivings,
as he hobbled toward Major Hender-
son. "Were you fastening to join us Z?
You see we haven't got far am
wretched walker at the best of times,
and in such scenery as this one feels
forced 10 pause frequently TO look
around"
81 expected to meet you coming
back. explained the Major; "but |
was looking for you in that direction,
indicating another path more TO the
right. II was quite surprised when |
saw yOu coming toward me. "
With what feelings of relief did the
lovers listen to the Majors innocent re
marks
At their early dinner the Major drew
from his pocket letter which he had
received by the mornings post and had
forgotten to read. With polite Tx
cuse me, my dear" to his niece, he
hastily glanced at the contents. 81
must leave for London by the IL
O'Clock train tomorrow morning" he
exclaimed. o" This letter Is of the ut
most importance How stupid of me
to have delayed reading it "
"Am / to accompany you, uncle?'
asked Maude family.
"No, no, my dear; there's no need
for you to do that shall he back,here
10y the evening of the following day"
The Major was very preoccupied I'M
til dinner was over, but az Maude had
also much food for reflection silence was
agreeable to both.
II wonder if could do anything for
Mr.. Browne while am in town."
queried the Major. MY dear" turn
ing 10 Maude, lust write a little note
to him asking him to step over for a
minute. You know we half promised
to show him the way to Fairy Glen this
afternoon. | don't feel inclined for any
more walking myself but there is no
reason why you shouldn't accompany
him, if you are not tired and he is
agreeable to the arrangement.
Mande's note quickly brought Mr..
Browne, and the lovers were soon Oh
their way to Fairy Glen.
~ darling, We are i'll luck S way
exclaimed Jack. "Your uncle's alb
sence will make matters rs simple as an
A b G guide. shall have tomorrow
TO make the necessary arrangements.
We can he married the following morn
ing, and 10y the time your uncle returns
IN the evening We shall be miles away
from here
Maude acquiesced rather reluctantly |
She loved Jack dearly but still she !
had some conjunction about deceiving |
her uncle, who, with tine exception of |
the unaccomtable obstinacy he had |
shown toward her lover, had always |
been ready TO humor her. Jack, how |
ever, drew such glowing picture of |
the happiness in store for them and de- /
clared with 50 much confidence Major .
HendersOn's anger would not last more
than three weeks when once the irrevo-
cable step was taken that Maude was
much comforted.
When they returned Major Hender- ,
son pressed Mr.. Browne to spend the /
evening at Honeysuckle Cottage. Tea
being over the Major asked Maude if |
she would mind packing his pOrtman-
teau for him.
81 have laid ont the things wish to
take, my dear. You will hit them in
more neatly than l could"
Maude was delighted to have an OPP |
portunity Of doing a last, little kindly |
vet
Directly she had left the room the
Major began fidgeting about, and at |
length got up and paced the room.
turning to Mr.. Browne, he |
said: Comparative stranger as you are |
TO me, feel rs if | must tell You the
nature of the business which is calling |
me to London so Unexpectedly. The |
blow has fallen SO suddenly that to /
speak of it would be an immense relief.
The stranger WAS all sympathetic at
tentiOn III moment
MIR. Browne" continued the Major |
"this time yesterday | be
lieved that poor girl up stairs to be the |
Of fairly large fortune. To |
day-if the information | received this |
morning is correct know her to be
penniless. And that is not all; the
Greater part, if not the whole, of my |
income is lost also.
So sympathetic was Mr. Browne that
he begged to know all the details.
These, however, the Major was unable |
to furnish-in fact he could explain no |
thing satisfactorily, so great was the |
state of excitement into which lac had |
worked himself.
Hush he said, rs he heard Maude |
Not word to her. |
disturb her peace of mind for
worlds, poor girl, until | am certain
how the matter stands.
The next day, about an hour after
her uncle had left for London. Maude |
received the following pencilled note
rom Mr. Browne:
Ny Own Darling, i am the most un-
lucky dog that ever lived. | passed
wretched night, and this morning | am /
too i'll to leave my bed. To be disabled
to-day, when ] was to have arranged
for the event which is to make me the
happiest man in England | have sent /
for the village "bones," and If he can
patch me up it may not yet be too late.
= II a k,o6 1ocl nv haarer M aepount !